ROTTWEILER Vs. GERMAN SHEPHERD

This is a discussion on ROTTWEILER Vs. GERMAN SHEPHERD within the Dog Breeds forums, part of the Other Dogforum Interests category; Only these two breeds, please. We own a 70 acre ranch and we have horses. I want a large dog that will be outside most ...

Only these two breeds, please. We own a 70 acre ranch and we have horses. I want a large dog that will be outside most of the day and only come in at night time working around the ranch with me. I want a dog that is calmer and is going to stick close by me, not have any tendency to run off and do their own thing. I have narrowed down to the two large breeds I like the most, a German Shepherd or a Rottweiler. I have plenty of experience with dogs and dog behavior/training. Which of these breeds do you think would work better for me? I don't want a dog that bounds everywhere, I'd prefer one more serious. Opinions?

I'm not sure if you mean "outside all day" with, or without you. If you mean outside all day with you while you work on the ranch, then I've got to say you can't get a better dog than a German Shepherd Dog. German Shepherd's have a natural tendency to stay right by their owner's side, wherever they go. They love to be your shadow and are very loyal and faithful dogs. They really aren't likely to go off and do their own thing, so you are choosing the right dog in a German Shepherd.

If, however, you mean outside all day alone, then I would say don't choose a German Shepherd as they hate to be alone and don't do so well as outside dogs that are left alone to "guard" all day long. That's not to say they are likely to suffer from separation anxiety, as long as you train them properly by leaving them alone for a little while each day when they are puppies, they'll be fine. But I think you know this stuff as you said you have experience with training/behavior.

The only other thing I would say is that German Shepherd's also have a very "suspicious" nature towards strangers. They're protective in their nature and are usually wary of strangers. This means that you will have to do a lot of socialization with different people, other dogs, and animals while s/he is a puppy. Otherwise s/he may become aggressive towards anyone that approaches.

I'm assuming you meant that you would be outside with your dog most of the day, in which case I would definitely recommend a German Shepherd. I would also say make sure you do your homework with the breeders as some "working" breeds have very high drive and lots of energy. My dog came from a "show" dog breeder and he is extremely calm and a great companion. I think I remember my breeder telling me that the German lines of the German Shepherd's have a higher drive whereas the American lines were much calmer. But I am saying that from memory so maybe misquoting. I know my dog is from American lines and he is relaxed and calm.

I don't know much about Rottie's to comment on their suitability for you but will say they are also great dogs. I just don't know enough about their characteristics to give you something to base your decision on.

I wish you luck with your decision and am sure that, based on the fact that you are doing your homework, you will make the right choice for you.

When I come to a ranch, I would expect to see some short of hearding type dog so between those two a GSD seems to me would be the better fit. When I think of rotties, I think of guarding a house or yard. Not a ranch or anything of the like. (but that's just me.)

I can't tell you which one would be best because I don't know enough of either breeds to tell you other then what is written on the net on them. But if I had to choose it would be the GSD.

I'm not sure if you mean "outside all day" with, or without you. If you mean outside all day with you while you work on the ranch, then I've got to say you can't get a better dog than a German Shepherd Dog. German Shepherd's have a natural tendency to stay right by their owner's side, wherever they go. They love to be your shadow and are very loyal and faithful dogs. They really aren't likely to go off and do their own thing, so you are choosing the right dog in a German Shepherd.

If, however, you mean outside all day alone, then I would say don't choose a German Shepherd as they hate to be alone and don't do so well as outside dogs that are left alone to "guard" all day long. That's not to say they are likely to suffer from separation anxiety, as long as you train them properly by leaving them alone for a little while each day when they are puppies, they'll be fine. But I think you know this stuff as you said you have experience with training/behavior.

The only other thing I would say is that German Shepherd's also have a very "suspicious" nature towards strangers. They're protective in their nature and are usually wary of strangers. This means that you will have to do a lot of socialization with different people, other dogs, and animals while s/he is a puppy. Otherwise s/he may become aggressive towards anyone that approaches.

I'm assuming you meant that you would be outside with your dog most of the day, in which case I would definitely recommend a German Shepherd. I would also say make sure you do your homework with the breeders as some "working" breeds have very high drive and lots of energy. My dog came from a "show" dog breeder and he is extremely calm and a great companion. I think I remember my breeder telling me that the German lines of the German Shepherd's have a higher drive whereas the American lines were much calmer. But I am saying that from memory so maybe misquoting. I know my dog is from American lines and he is relaxed and calm.

I don't know much about Rottie's to comment on their suitability for you but will say they are also great dogs. I just don't know enough about their characteristics to give you something to base your decision on.

I wish you luck with your decision and am sure that, based on the fact that you are doing your homework, you will make the right choice for you.

I know you have narrowed it down to a GSD or Rottie, but have you even considered a Blue Lacy or a Catahoula? Both are protective, great herders, companionable, probably the most versatile dogs you could get for ranch work....

[quote=natenqen;219942]When I come to a ranch, I would expect to see some short of hearding type dog so between those two a GSD seems to me would be the better fit. When I think of rotties, I think of guarding a house or yard. Not a ranch or anything of the like. (but that's just me.)

Most people don't know this but the Rottie is a herding dog form way back
I would take a Rottie over most any other dog. They are lovely dogs.

Although a versatile breed used in recent times for many purposes, the Rottweiler is primarily known as one of the oldest herding breeds. A multi-faceted herding and stock protection dog, it is capable of working all kinds of livestock under a variety of conditions.Rottweiler - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia